Family Constellations in your words:
 

Letters:
(excerpts printed with permission)

    " The most impressive result (of Family Constellations) was that my mother and I came to a wonderful understanding two weeks before she died. I saw the truth of our relationship when others represented us, removing my distorted point of view. What helped me was working with the strong feminine influence that you held for me, a strong female, without judgment.  The space in the room felt secure, safe."
 --Shantana, Kirkland, WA
Energy Practitioner
Barbara Brennan graduate/instructor
 
 

     "I want to give you my deepest thanks for the Family Constellations workshop. For many days after the workshop, I found myself longing to be there still.  My feelings of being accepted and part of something very big and very significant were so strong in the workshop, and I thank you for what you did to make this come about.
     I can feel the relief in my body and posture, and also hearing people tell me I look different, more buoyant and sparkly.  I also find that the pathways to old ways of thinking and feeling aren't there as they used to be, and the path of optimism and deep satisfaction is wide open.
     Again, dear Brigitte, thank you for all you've given me, and for all that has come about because of your work.
We are blessed by your presence in our lives...
Elaine Settles, Leavenworth, WA
Database Administrator
 

    "It has been many weeks since the November workshop.  I have been telling close friends what an amazing, rewarding, and healing experience it was for me and of course I would like you to know this as well.  My mom and dad came over to spend Thanksgiving with us and it was a more enjoyable and "open" time spent with them (especially my mom) than I can remember in a long time.  I am so encouraged by the healing nature of love and how it is supported by this constellation work.  I also felt quite honored and "stretched" by participating in other's constellations.  I would certainly like to participate again!  In the meantime I am reading Love's Hidden Symmetry and finding it helpful and enlightening. "
--Linda Baker, Ellensburg, WA
 

     "I like the effects of my first Family Constellations session.  I feel a lot of healing around my relationship with my mother & father. ... Take care & thanks for the work you do."
--Dianne C., Seattle, WA
Retired Manager
 
 

    " ...The constellation experience was everything you said it would be and what was hinted at in the books.  But as you and the book explained, one cannot be prepared for what happens.  It is beyond words and relation to other experiences.  My brain is still stunned and fascinated.  My heart is overwhelmed.
    One of the greatests joys of the constellation is to see and feel ...the unconscious. It is magical.
In the eighties, I was a strong follower of NLP. NLP brings a lot of power for lasting change.  The Family Constellations have a ot of NLP elements to them...but they are much more, especially the orders of love.
    Several things have happened [since the workshop].  I noticed that I am happy.  Just happy in a simple way, ...  I notice myself smiling on the inside.
One of the most dramatic changes is the sense of peace. It pervades everything, my body, my thoughts, my actions.
My body is quiet.  It doesn't tense up when normal stressors present themselves.  It's a wonderful feeling.  My whole life is changing from being in this position of peace.  The same events or stimuli result in totally different ways of being because I react in a different way now, from the heart and trust and security.  It's just there. My body is ridding itself of pain as never before.  I must have been carrying that pain and anger of all those years of living in a violent alcoholic family.  Each day I get stronger now.
So, empirically, the constellation makes immediate changes, deep core changes. I hope others do what I did.  Thank goodness [I] fell into this.  Thanks to L. for leading us to Family Constellations."
--Eric Root, Leavenworth, WA
Systems Developer, Photographer
 
 

    " It was such a pleasure to meet you last weekend.  What a gift you bring to all of us! Family Constellations is so incredible.  D. and I each had a life changing weekend.  I am glad there was room for him as a participant.  It was written in the stars that he have the opportunity to do so much healing in such a short time.  Thank you!"
--Nancy Odegard, Seattle, WA
 
 

    "First of all, thank you again for all the time, effort and love you put into making Family Constellations in Seattle possible.
A year ago in a Family Constellations workshop I worked on my own issue -- dealing with insanity in my mother's side of the family. I have felt much movement since then, especially in my own heart, and the fear I held there for so many years is gone. The love and respect I feel for my mother and her family is as strong today as it was that day a year ago when I respectfully bowed in front of all them at the end of my constellation. It was a very VERY powerful experience for me."
--Liz Fabian
Energy Worker
Administrative Assistant
 
 

    "I appreciated your work as a facilitator so much. The work is powerful in itself and I seemed able to access the depth fully because of your competent facilitation. In just one short workshop your clarity and confidence, and your insistence, your absolute certainty that blame has no place in our lives, opened up a lot of possibility for me in allowing healing for myself and others. I was able to become so clear about the intention of the work.
The perspective offered by the Family Constellation work has been so reassuring, refreshing and visionary. It has influenced my internal relationship with myself and my attitude towards my relationship with my husband. Although I noticed how vulnerable I felt in the aftermath of the workshop, I have also felt a lightness. My interactions with both my adult sister and my mother seemed lighter.
The work seems to complement every other useful personal healing in which I have engaged. It feels like a little shaped puzzle piece has wiggled its way into this picture of my life and into my heart. I hold in my mind the image of the tableau that stood before me with my mother in front, her mother, and another woman behind them, all leaning together, and I recall the words that allowed me to connect to those women. It feels so right--I am so grateful!
After being a representative and observer I had no idea how difficult it would be to give up the "old story" for myself. I thank you for the part you played in helping me to have this "new story." I think your warmth and peacefulness and your facility with the process and your appreciation for us as participants was essential to my being able to take in so much and be so present."
--H.M.
 
 

    "I started the workshop being skeptical of the entire process, however throughout the weekend my feelings changed to understanding and admiring how the dynamics worked - for betterment.
I didn't know any of the other participants, just knowing we are all spiritual brothers and sisters and are basically one, and ended the weekend really feeling that that is true.What stands out in my memory are the love and acceptance of most participants ... and the acknowledgment that we are all on the same journey with similar situations we must deal with.  And most of all, that an unconditional love heals all wounds, if we but open ourselves and allow the process to happen.
One word sums up the effect for me and the others: Compassion!!!  Seeing that we all have situations in our lifes, whether they be from past family members or just our own, they all affect us - and if we are compassionate - healing can take place.
Forgiveness is another important word and action [in Family Constellation work]- for when we forgive others and most importantly - ourselves - true healing takes place.
As a result of Family Constellations I personally became more clear about my health and family.  Other family members were affected also by my taking part in the constellation - though they did not understand why things had changed.
.....
I admire that you do not manipulate [the constellations] for end results, that you allow the situation to unfold as it should - and if it does not, accept that and move on.  I like how comfortable you are in the process and that you do not take on other's hurts as your own. Keep up the great work."
--Jim Haverlock, Twisp, WA
Author and Merchant
 

    "Thank you for the effort of putting workshops together that have such deep impact. I appreciated seeing my family from an outsider perspective and found out things I never knew.This is truly a helpful tool. To be with others and observe them on their paths is giving additional insights. I hope to be part of it again."
--Dr. S.P., Kirkland, WA
 
 

"Thanks so much for your presentation (Introductory workshop).  Of course it was probably more wonderful for me (as a working participant) than for the others.  It was a great night.  So good to make contact with you and see your good work in action.  Many many thanks!"
--Eric Allison, Kirkland, WA
Bachelors in Sociology and Psychology,
Masters in Marriage and Family therapy
Two years training in TransactionalAnalysis
Masters 0f Divinity,
Doctor of Communications
Ordained Swedenborgian Minister

    " Thanks for "the family constellation workshop" ....  A lot of common plunging around into the black cloisters of our lives.  Dead clods of sadness in "the River Room". But the light kept creeping through the window blinds--throwing up ladders of light.
I found it a very good experience.  Need more of that kind of work when darkness stalks the world, don't you think? "
--James Donaldson, Twisp, WA
Psychotherapist

    "Thank you so much for facilitating the workshop and allowing all of us to hold the energy.  I saw a close friend last night and she remarked that my countenance had changed.
I was fortunate to spend Monday with my parents in Seattle and we walked through the forests and gardens of the arboretum.  I noticed it was much easier to stay in my heart or at least quickly return to it after a foray into the judging world of my mind.
I sense that this work will help bring me in to balance; it offsets the weight that comes with knowing about crimes against humanity and nature.  I am no stranger to compassion, but I felt it so strongly throughout the workshop that my critical, judging side had to give in to the love.
A heartfelt thank you for sharing this work,
--Michael Kane, Leavenworth, WA

    "I just wanted to say thanks for the weekend and the wonderful work you are doing.
This was a very moving weekend and has certainly given me pause...
I wrote ... something that I thought I would send you:

Until now...

Until now
I have not allowed myself
To bond with you
My ancestral line
Of  Y chromosome carrying men.

This dis-ease we have
(Or so I've thought)
Is to be abjured
Dismissed
Cast out.

My allegiance
And protection
Was in my mothers breast
And the righteousness
Of those bra-burning women
Of the 1960's.

Who would want to face such wrath?

Better surely to cut the chord
Of my grandfathers' love
To deny with mummy
The aching purity of daddy's inmost heart.

Don't all those men know
How deeply flawed we are?
Better to deny ourselves
To cast each other out
And live rootless
In the neutered love
Of quiet acquiescence
Until at last
When 50
We can say
"Having betrayed myself
So long ago
I have forgotten how to care enough
To be faithful to anyone
Least of all myself."

And then, at last
A door opens."

(c) Mark Yeoell, Seattle, WA
Founder, Global Integrity Leadership Group
Leadership & High Performance Teams Consultant
 
 

    "Brigitte's sensitive and guiding intuition has led me into a healing connection that I have been seeking for years. I am grateful to Brigitte & the Hellinger work for this renewed relationship with myself and with my mother."
--Livina Hiacinth, B.C. Canada
B.Ed, Reiki Master, Soul level Intuitve, Educator & Healer
 
 

    "The Family Constellations workshop I took with Brigitte Sztab was very powerful for me.
When I stood in for other people's relatives, I actually felt like I was occupying a consciousness different from my own. When others stood in for my relatives, I was amazed by the accuracy of their responses and was deeply moved by the emotional resolutions that happened for me as a result.
The workshop positively shifted my relationship with my mother and with partners from my past. This was a permanent shift that has made life freer and happier for me. The other participants seemed also to be profoundly affected by the Family Constellation process.
One thing I'll always remember is when someone standing in for a woman's uncle said something about the uncle that he personally couldn't have possibly known.This seemed to lead to a real emotional breakthrough for the woman.
Everyone in the workshop was so loving, kind and supportive of one another that it felt like a very safe, nurturing and healing environment to be in.
Brigitte herself is a marvelous teacher--wise, gentle, nurturing and profoundly compassionate. I cannot imagine anyone facilitating this transformative and revolutionary work any better than she."
--Trisha Howell, Snohomish, WA
Author and Publisher
 
 

    "Family Constellations has been one of the most rewarding and powerful emotional and spiritual experiences of my life.  The workshops have helped open me up, clear up old troubles, and set me back again on my life's true path.
As a facilitator, Brigittte is at once commanding, nurturing, light, and steady.
If you are interested in moving forward in your life -- in the deepest sense -- I can think of no better vehicle to take than Family Constellations."
Guy Evans, Chelan, WA
Filmmaker
 
 

    "As a facilitator, Brigitte brings to the work a deep sensitivity to energy, coupled with well developed facilitation skills which she uses with integrity and respect for the participants in her workshops. I value her intuition and insights, and trust that I am safe with her.
--L. Lyons, B.C. Canada
Technical Editor
 
 

    "Some hours after the weekend workshop, we stood 2-3 feet apart and for some moments silently looking at each other. We 'saw' each other. I experienced in that moment the 'what is, as it is' of our relationship. No history, no future; my thinking mind was still. With a clear reference point free of the veils created by the my conditioned mind, I know what is true.
--WJW - British Columbia, Canada
 
 

    "Family Constellations did for me what no other form of therapy or workshops could do over the last 25 years of intense work.  It allowed me to release completely the incredibly deep-seated anger that was held by my body for over 45 years, from the time of my first incident of abuse.  Nothing in all the experiences of my life could have prepared me for what happened in the F.C. session, its expression, its intensity, its final resolution.  What was as amazing is the insidious lineage of the abuse through many generations and the dysfunctional, painful, destructive behavior it created in each generation.  Thanks to FC, it has stopped with me and saved my children from further abuse and pain.
It appears that I have lost all my body armoring that I have carried for 40+ years.  It is the weirdest thing to be walking around in my body today.  NEVER, ever felt like this. There is this relaxed feeling that goes deep into each cell, a calmness, like a still pond.  It is as if nothing in the world could shake me.  I can only surmise that the constellation released me from this fear and guarding.  Awesome. Totally unexpected.  Maybe one of the most freeing experiences I have known.  This is especially exciting since most of my life I have lived with chronic back pain.  Now I sleep without pain."
Eric Root, Leavenworth, WA
Systems Developer, Photographer
 
 

    "All my life I was burdened with feelings of fear, hate and loathing towards my father. Now I can look at him with love!"
--Robert Ekenbarger, Chelan, WA
Orchadist
 
 

    "I've been pondering what words would describe my FC experience(s).  I remember my first demo evening here.  All my well known facts, events, stories were appearing in the set up and as I witnessed the process of what FC had to show/tell, I felt the energy move/open/lift/melt/, like "there it is", the missing piece to healing, completion, freedom to let go, a deep peace, deep connection, expanded relatedness, an experiential, tangible connection to other family members, missing family members, wholeness, oneness.  A greater/deeper access to my own individual Being's yearning to work on the Soul level to complete the "past" and live in the freedom of the Now."
--Sharon Maccarone, Seattle, WA
 
 

    "I thoroughly enjoyed the FC workshop that Brigitte Sztab facilitated (in April, 2003).  Brigitte provides full attention to all workshop attendees, the issues that are revealed during each constellation and the resulting shifts that occur.  The shifts in the issues benefit all attendees and many of their family members who are not present at the FCW.
     I found the workshop to be extremely valuable as I clear childhood issues that are still impacting me today - 30 years later!  The issue I addressed was related to my mother and the mothers in her family line going back at least eight generations.  The shift that occurred during the workshop provided a clearer path for subsequent changes in that area over the next 8 months of my life.  I'm so thankful I was able to kick-off these much needed changes during the FC weekend."
--A.Celento, New Jersey
Payment Systems Marketing Executive
 
 

    "I was able to attend a workshop last spring in Chelan and found it to be one of the single most incredible experiences I've ever had...
Family Constellations was initially described to me as 'a way to initiate the healing process of unresolved family issues without actually confronting family;' that sounded too good to be true. I can't pretend that I fully understood what transpired that first night I attended the session, but there was no question as to what I felt. Something changed in me that weekend. I left a different person, and not just because I had a new page of friends in my address book. My perspective had widened; softened somehow, and I had begun to see what was possible through this work."
--Nikki Fretwell, Bellevue, WA
 
 

    "I truly do believe that lasting changes in relationship to my family of origin and especially my father have come about as a result of the work and I continue to feel blessed by the gifts I've received from Brigitte and the others who have been part of Family Constellations."
--Elaine Settles
Database Administrator
 
 

    "Family Constellations workshops give us a gentle, safe space  in which to begin healing. Brigitte offers warmth, acceptance and great energy to everyone she encounters."
--C.C.
 
 

    "...Worldviews should be left at the door.  What takes place in the Family Constellation is more about the nonverbal communication that takes place; gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, body posture, touch, and use of  space. ..."
--Catherine Freeman, Manson, WA
 
 

    “My experience of two family constellations workshops with Brigitte has been immensely helpful in my personal journey of self-discovery and healing. Despite my initial fears of ‘being seen,’ I quickly felt welcomed in the safe and non-judgmental space she creates in a workshop. I was able to experience the healing of multi-generational wounds and the reconciliation between estranged family members in a warm circle of new friends. My heart was opened to the immensity of the love that is available to anyone through this simple, yet mysterious process. Part of the beauty of family constellation work is that I benefit equally when I act as a participant working on my issue as well as when I serve as a representative in someone else’s constellation. This work creates a palpable connection with ‘something much larger that any one of us.’ I appreciate Brigitte’s wonderful ability to help all the people present open their hearts to experience personal healing and to connect with the universal spirit of human nature in one of its purest forms.”
-- Bryan Brewer, Seattle, WA
Consultant
 

     "I finally have peace and reconnection to my roots because of Brigitte Sztab's family constellation workshops.  Nothing else of the many things I've tried has been as powerful or life changing."
--Mary Ann Henderson, Seattle, WA